Denver Broncos / NFL

Philip Rivers looks to beat yet another Broncos defensive coordinator

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has beaten each of the Broncos' previous six defensive coordinators at least once.
(Reuters file)

Another defensive coordinator tries to stymie Rivers

In Philip Rivers' seventh year as the Chargers starting quarterback, Jack Del Rio will be seventh defensive coordinator for the Broncos to try to slow him down.

Rivers had at least one win against each of the previous six and had two wins in season sweeps in 2010 (Don Martindale), 2007 (Jim Bates) and 2006 (Larry Coyer). Over those previous six years, the Broncos have tried a variety of things, including 3-4 looks on defense, 4-3 looks, aggressive rush packages and dropping more players into coverage.

"(Chargers coach) Norv (Turner) is probably one of the better offensive minds in this game," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. "And then Philip has developed into one of the better quarterbacks in this game, and that combination in itself makes you dangerous on offense, so I don't care what you throw on them. It's not going to be new to them.

"I don't expect him to go out there Monday and not make a few plays. ... We just have to limit them."

Rivers is 9-3 as a starter against the Broncos and has 3,062 passing yards and 20 touchdowns.

Line dance. The Broncos may have to make adjustments in the offensive line because of injuries.

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The first change, however, is good news if right guard Chris Kuper continues to do well. Kuper, who suffered a fractured bone in his left forearm in training camp, has participated fully in practice this week and is poised for his first game action of the season. But offensive tackle Ryan Clady suffered a hamstring injury in practice this week and did not take part in Friday's workout. Clady has not missed a start in his career — 71 consecutive regular-season games and two playoff games — and if he can't play, Chris Clark would likely take over at left tackle.

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"Anytime you don't practice, I'm concerned. He's day to day," Broncos coach John Fox said of Clady. "It was just a little tweak at practice."

Get after it. Any shuffling in the Broncos' offensive line has the potential to be a trouble spot Monday night. Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano, a Boulder native, has been aggressive in his rush schemes thus far this season, rotating a group of players in the team's defensive line and at linebacker.

"We're doing a lot of good things. We're hitting the quarterback a lot more than we have been," Turner said.

Shaun Phillips leads the Chargers in sacks with 4½.

"They rotate a lot of bodies in the front seven at the linebacker, defensive line positions," Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said. "They're rolling guys in and staying fresh."

First day. The Broncos got their first look at new returner Trindon Holliday, who was waived by the Texans this week. He took part in his first practice and is expected to return punts against the Chargers. He will get some consideration as a kickoff returner as well.

Holliday's arrival was a case of good timing for the Broncos. The Broncos and Colts each put in a waiver claim on Holliday, but the Broncos were awarded him on the basis of their 2-3 record this season, compared to the Colts' 2-2 mark. Waiver claims are awarded on the basis of record, with the team with the lowest win total among those to claim a player getting the player.

"We thought he was pretty good in preparation when we played against (the Texans)," Fox said.

Footnotes. Cornerback Tony Carter (illness) did not practice Friday. For the Chargers, three regulars sat out: left tackle Jared Gaither (groin), kicker Nate Kaeding (groin) and wide receiver Eddie Royal (hamstring). ... Turner, on former CSU coach Steve Fairchild, now on the Chargers' staff as a senior offensive assistant: "Steve's a good coach. ... He's very involved on game day in terms of what we're doing and how we're attacking people, strategy and what we're trying to get done."

Rockies relief pitcher John Axford, who hasn't pitched for the team since last Wednesday, was forced to leave spring training camp after his 2-year-old son was bit by a rattlesnake twice in his right foot.

One-day event to run slide down University HillIt's not quite the alternative mode of transportation that Boulder's used to, but, for one day this summer, residents will be able to traverse several city blocks atop inflatable tubes.

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